The ensuite shower stall was re-positioned and transformed into a functional space, which mimics the look of the main bathroom with the same barn-style, sliding glass shower door.
Once the old tub and dated tile were removed from the main bathroom, the stall was fitted with new aqua-board before the new tub was set into position and the stall retiled and fitted with a barn-style, sliding glass shower door.
During my first site meeting with Tim and Bernie McArthur last fall, their motivation to renovate both bathrooms on the main floor of their home seemed obvious. The outdated tile in the main bathroom tub/shower stall was starting to let go, and held in place by a series of quick fixes which included layers of silicone and caulk. The ensuite shower stall had suffered a similar fate, and due to its small size was awkward to use.
It was clearly time for a change.
After taking a good look at both bathrooms and making a few assessments, we sat down to discuss the projects. I soon learned the couple had also been contemplating a move — now that the kids were all grown up and out of the house. "We were very aware the bathrooms needed an upgrade," says Tim. "Once we decided it was time to sell the house, that made the upgrade a necessity."
With any renovation, budget is the priority. And when selling your house, the balance between what you should spend versus what you will get back when you sell is crucial. Many people believe a renovation will increase the sale price enough to make a profit from it — this is a common misconception. In most cases, the goal should be to break even, or even anticipate a slight loss. Therefore, a decision to proceed with any reno should be considered carefully.
It was clear the McArthurs understood the cost ramifications of redoing two bathrooms at once, and they were hoping both bathrooms could be fully renovated on a slim budget. "We really didn’t have any idea as to what a realistic budget for a renovation of this magnitude would be. We started doing some research and talking to several different people. We eventually came up with an amount we thought was reasonable," says Tim, who was pleased with the supplier contacts, suggestions, and the fact I was able to work within their budget.
Although many of the hard costs remain static from one bathroom reno to the next (those are the build costs such as lumber, drywall, plumbing and electrical supplies etc.), the potential to save, or over-spend is easily dictated by the items you choose. The vanity, the faucets, style of tub, type of toilet, even the tile on the wall will heavily influence your bottom line and affect your budget accordingly.
I often say it costs the same amount in labour to install a $50 toilet or a $500 toilet — choosing cost-effective items is key, especially on a slim budget.
The job was scheduled to start sometime in April 2019. While the couple was away on vacation for a few months, the commercial desk crew at RONA on Kenaston Boulevard assisted in the task of hunting for items that met the couple’s budgetary needs, and they did not disappoint. Upon the McArthurs’ return, we had successfully acquired most of the items required for both bathroom spaces and were on budget, simply by taking the time to locate better-priced items, waiting for sales, and a bit of compromise.
The ensuite was tackled first. After that first day of demolition, which included removing the awkward shower stall so it could be conveniently repositioned for better functionality, the ensuite was fully completed and ready for use within three weeks. The main bathroom was next up, and once the new tub was installed and the ball was rolling it only took three weeks to complete this bathroom as well.
"With the final results of the full renovation showcasing such a fantastic transformation of both bathrooms, we are confident the house will be easier to sell," says Tim. "We may even see an increase in the selling price. When we stand back and absorb the end results, compared to the condition of the bathrooms before we started, it is amazing to us."
It is always important to understand the key objectives when diving into the renovation process, to avoid the money-pit scenario. Dissecting the reason for the renovation is extremely crucial, as this will determine your budget. Spending more money than you should on your dream bathroom in your forever home is completely different than spending the same money on a bathroom simply because you know it needs updating before you sell the house.
There’s always a deal to be had if you take the time to do a little research. In the end, it will be time well spent.
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